SMB IT | Curtis Franklin » Review: Solid UltraPortable from Gateway

August 09, 2006 | Comments: (0)

Review: Solid UltraPortable from Gateway

TAGS: SMB Hardware

Gateway just keeps sending me cool stuff. I've just finished a month of using the company's ultra-portable E-100M notebook. Similar to my review of the M255-E, this ultra-portable does a good job of covering the basics at a nice price.

Ultras are known for using slightly slower CPUs due to power and cooling issues, and the E-100M is no exception. This one uses a low-voltage Core Solo CPU running at 1.2GHz--that's as quick as it gets in this form factor. Our test system had a 80GB disk and 504MB of RAM as well, but you can opt for as high as 100GB (5400rpm). The RAM front has changed. We got one of the last systems with 512MB of RAM installed. As of now, you can only get the E-100M with 1GB of RAM in there; no more no less.

Graphics is surprisingly robust. Though it relies on an integrated Intel graphics sub-system, that still let's it support up to 1280-by-1024 resolution; and it does so on a 12.1-inch screen that can do wide-screen format for video.

Because it's an ultra, the optical is a separate unit that connects via USB and doesn't need its own power supply. Speeking of that, the E-100M has a light power brick, but it's a little annoying in two ways. First, it requires a three-prong outlet--I thought those were finally a thing of the past. Second, its connector comes undone pretty easily--but not entirely, so you think it's plugged in until you look down on the system tray and see the battery icon. A minor ding but it cought me several times.

Overall, a highly usable configuration for something that weighs about 4 pounds. Gateway also shipped an extended life battery. This ups system weight a bit (though it's definitely still a featherweight), but gave me an average battery life of around 4-5 hours depending on what I was doing.

Overall, this was a very nice road warrior system. I used it mainly as a desktop replacement, covering email, Web updates, all kinds of office tasks and even light photo editing. Everything runs with more than acceptable response times, so the 1.2GHz Core Solo really isn't a problem.

I wouldn't try to rip DVDs or play games on the E-100M, but for about $1600, this is a great way to release back strain while running through airports without taking any measurable loss in day-to-day work response.

Gateway E-100M (NX100X)
Gateway
Price: $1,625 (base) $1,889.96 (as tested)
Verdict: A solid ultra-portable that held up well during a month-long sojourn as my desktop replacement. Day-to-day performance was fine for office tasks, battery life with the long life power cell was great and it definitely feels ligher in the briefcase.

Posted by Oliver Rist on August 9, 2006 02:04 PM

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